A Day In Beijing with Chen

Chen
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated weekly

You think you know China. You probably don't. This is a Beijing-inspired travel podcast that exists to break cultural stereotypes of China. It digs into Chinese history, traditions, and artistry from the people who make Beijing extraordinary. Not AI-produced, not a one-trip vlogger, not a TikTok trend. We curate conscious travel experiences, exclusively backing independent local businesses and putting money back into the community. Not a slogan but how we operate. I'm Chen, a Chinese law graduate, an LSE anthropologist, and a Beijinger who's sick of leaving others to explain my hometown.

Episodes

  1. 2 days ago

    The Forbidden City Part 1 | Who Built It and How Did Beijing Become The Capital

    A man stole the throne from his own nephew. And to prove he deserved it, he built the largest palace in human history. One million workers. Fourteen years. And a canal that carried an empire's resources halfway across China to one construction site. But to understand why, you need a bit of context first — and I promise I'll make it painless. So I start with the basics: what a dynasty actually is, what Confucianism means, how Beijing became the capital, and the man whose insecurity gave us the Forbidden City. This is Part 1 of 3. Part 2 decodes what the architecture is actually saying. Part 3 walks you through the palace, south to north. Planning a visit? Book tickets in advance, they sell out fast! Official site: https://bookingticket.dpm.org.cn/WeChat 小程序: 故宫博物院 Find A Day In Beijing Cultural Experiences here: https://adayinbeijing.carrd.co/Connect with me on Instagram @chen_backinbeijingAn ethical playbook to Beijing on Instagram @a_day_in_beijing One more thing, I want to hear from you!If you have a story to tell about Beijing, about China, join me on this podcast. You could be a café owner. A calligrapher. An underground rave DJ. A teacher. A civil servant. A street vendor who's been cooking the same dish for forty years. Because right now, beyond the VPN, the world is hearing about us from people who aren't us. And I think we can do something about that, one voice at a time. You don't need experience. You don't need equipment. You don't need to speak perfect English. I'll handle the recording, the editing, the posting, everything. All you need is to tell your story. This isn't a business. This is a cause. I just want the world beyond the VPN to see a glimpse of the real us. I believe in it and I hope you do too.

    29 min

  2. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    Pilot Episode | Why I Started a Beijing-inspired Podcast

    I spent 10 years in London doing brand strategy. Won awards, led massive teams, made business director before 30 — but mostly was selling things I didn't believe in. Hit my mid-30s, came back to my beloved hometown with my husband. Beijing's independent businesses are disappearing. 3 million restaurants, cafés and bars closed across China last year. And the tourists who do come? They're stuck in a loop — Forbidden City, Great Wall, done. Meanwhile, the places where actual Beijingers spend their time are invisible to the outside world. I thought, I've got the marketing skills. I've got the cultural context. I've lived on both sides. What if I just build a megaphone for our indie businesses and local communities? This episode is the full story. Who I am, why A Day In Beijing exists, and what you can expect from this podcast. First series: the Forbidden City. Three episodes. EP1: How It All Began — live now EP2: The Story Behind the Red Gates — coming soon EP3: 600 Years in 30 Minutes — coming soon Find A Day In Beijing Cultural Experiences here: https://adayinbeijing.carrd.co/ Connect with me on Instagram @chen_backinbeijingAn ethical playbook to Beijing on Instagram @a_day_in_beijing

    16 min

  3. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    Trailer | Ethical Travel to Beijing & Chinese Culture and History

    A Day In Beijing is an English podcast about Beijing, about China. Our history. Our culture. Our stories. Told in English — but told by us. I got tired of watching our 5,000 years of civilisation get reduced to 30-second TikToks by people who visited once. Got tired of AI-generated travel guides speaking for us. Got tired of the same lazy stereotypes being recycled as "China content." So I thought — if we don't tell our own stories, who will? Each episode digs into Beijing's history, traditions, and artistry. Some walk you through landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Others go deeper into the Beijing that most visitors never see. A Day In Beijing also curates conscious travel experiences, we exclusively support independent local businesses and put money back into the community. If you're curious how our city sounds when it's finally explained properly in English, come and listen or message me to join the podcast! If you have international friends or family coming to Beijing, share this podcast with them! Find A Day In Beijing Cultural Experiences here: https://adayinbeijing.carrd.co/ Connect with me on Instagram @chen_backinbeijing An ethical playbook to Beijing on Instagram @a_day_in_beijing

    3 min

Trailers

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About

You think you know China. You probably don't. This is a Beijing-inspired travel podcast that exists to break cultural stereotypes of China. It digs into Chinese history, traditions, and artistry from the people who make Beijing extraordinary. Not AI-produced, not a one-trip vlogger, not a TikTok trend. We curate conscious travel experiences, exclusively backing independent local businesses and putting money back into the community. Not a slogan but how we operate. I'm Chen, a Chinese law graduate, an LSE anthropologist, and a Beijinger who's sick of leaving others to explain my hometown.

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